# Ahava and Hesed: Love in the Book of Ruth

> A widow's promise, a place at the table, and the family story that leads to Jesus

Full guide: 6 min · IsraelForYou

## The opening

Naomi has buried her husband and both her sons. Now she is leaving Moab for Bethlehem, the town she left during a famine. Her daughters-in-law walk with her. All three women are widows, and Naomi can see little reason for the younger women to share her uncertain future (Ruth 1:1-7).

The Hebrew word *ahava* means love. Another word, *hesed*, often describes kindness expressed through loyalty to someone. The book of Ruth gives these words a setting we can recognize: a family in grief, with decisions to make about tomorrow. Following the women home helps us understand what such love asks of a person, and how God works through it.

## The chapters

1. Ahava and Hesed: Love in the Book of Ruth
2. A Blessing Before the Goodbye
3. What Comes Home from the Field
4. The Woman Who Loves You
5. Finding the Word in Your Bible
6. From Bethlehem to Jesus

## Hebrew in this guide

[ahava](https://israelforyou.com/hebrew/ahava.md), [ahav](https://israelforyou.com/hebrew/ahav.md), [hesed](https://israelforyou.com/hebrew/hesed.md), [hesed ve'emet](https://israelforyou.com/hebrew/hesed-ve-emet.md)

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You have read the opening. The other 5 chapters — with every verse opened and every Hebrew word a tap away — ship with IsraelForYou for iPhone.
https://israelforyou.com/g/ahava-and-hesed-in-ruth/